This program offers direct enrollment in one of Brazil's major universities. A required intensive language and culture program is offered at the beginning of each semester. Following this course, you will enroll in regular university courses for which you meet the prerequisites. There are a wide variety of courses available, including a beginning-level Portuguese course, designed for advanced-level Spanish speakers who have not previously studied Portuguese. Internship and/or independent study opportunities (for credit) are available for students who stay for an academic year. Further information about the range of courses on this program can be found at the CIEE website.

Program Quicklinks

Education Abroad Credits

You will receive credit for all academic courses taken at this institution, and all of your grades from abroad will count toward your Penn State cumulative GPA. You may not take any courses overseas on a Pass/Fail basis. Students must register for a minimum of 21 credits/31.5 Quarter Hours per semester; students can register for a maximum of 24 credits/36 Quarter Hours. 1 Quarter Hour = 0.3 PSU credits.

To see what kind of credit students in past semesters have received for courses taken on this program, visit the CIEE Sao Paulo Course Equivalency List*. Keep in mind you will need to complete the course equivalency process once you have been accepted to your program and after you have completed your registration abroad. To obtain specific instructions on this process visit our Course Equivalencies webpage.

*The University Office of Global Programs is committed to making its websites accessible to all users. As such we are currently developing a new course equivalency database which will launch in Academic Year 2014-2015. In the meantime if you require an accessible version of the course equivalency information provided for this program please contact educationabroad@psu.edu.

Pre-requisites

Successful applicants will satisfy the pre-requisites established by the program.

Sophomore class standing or higher at time of study

2.75 Cumulative GPA

4 semesters of Spanish, or 2 semesters of Portuguese

Housing and Meals

Your housing will be arranged by CIEE. You will live in a homestay, where two meals per day will be provided.

Program Costs

For more information on program costs, please be sure to review the Fall and Spring budget sheet. These budget sheets include information on costs that are billable to the bursar bill, as well as estimated additional costs. Costs vary by program, so it is important to review this information carefully.

Please note that tuition rates may vary depending on major and class standing.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Penn State students studying through Education Abroad can use most components of their existing financial aid packages toward the cost of study abroad. This may include federal and state grants, VA educational benefits, federal student loans, and University scholarships and grants. Notable exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships.

The University Office of Global Programs also administers a number of grants and scholarships. Eligibility is based on academic excellence and/or financial need. There is also funding available for study abroad programs in diverse locations and for students from diverse backgrounds. In most cases, applicants should have a current year FAFSA on file with the Office of Student Aid. Funding opportunities may also be available through Penn State academic departments. For detailed information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities and application procedures, please visit theFunding Study Abroadsection of the Global Penn State website.

For More Information

For more information about programs and education abroad at Penn State, we encourage you to meet with or contact our Peer Advisers. These study abroad returnees can explain program options, give an overview of the education abroad process, as well as provide information about his/her program. If you are not at University Park, contact your Campus Global Representative.

To learn more about the specifics of each program, schedule an appointment with the education abroad adviser for this program.

For the inside scoop on life in a foreign country, be sure to check out the GeoBlogs of Penn State students currently studying abroad.

How to Apply

If you would like to participate on this study abroad program, you will need to apply to Penn State Education Abroad by clicking the "Apply Now" button on this page.